WHAT'S happening, Bermuda? DJLT is still holding it down in Yard (Jamaica for those who are not hip to these things)! The Regiment troops are handling their business well down here (most of them are, anyway) So on behalf of all the troops in Yard, I'm sending greetings to family and friends back home in Bermuda. This week my pet peeve is the standard of driving back home and,t more importantly, what do we do about it.

Well, parents have more power over kids than they are utilising these days. My Mrs. decided there is no way our son is getting a bike at 16. She has my full support. He can have my car at 18, but no mopeds for him at 16; no way. Then, there's the older folks, who have to admit when they should no longer be driving. I have some recommendations that will take care of all of this and the other problems on the roads, but you'll have to wait until after the Top 20 to read them.

Holding at number one is So Sick, a banging down tempo joint by Ne-Yo. At number two is the kicking new joint from the Queen of R&B, Mary J Blige, entitled Be Without You. Check out the dance mix; very creative. Immovable at number three is Feel Good Inc. by the virtual band Gorillaz. I'm totally feeling the Gorillaz vibe; you'll be hard-pressed to find a more creative and versatile outfit in 2006. It's just totally amazing stuff that you simply must see and hear.

Up to number four is Yo (Excuse Me Miss) by Chris Brown. This joint is doing well in charts all over the world. Falling to number five is Hung Up, the monster dance/pop anthem from Queen of dance and pop, Madonna.

Slipping to number six is a former essential new joint - Nasty Girl by The Notorious B.I.G., Nelly, Diddy, Jagged Edge and Avery Storm. Beyonce's new joint, a collaboration with Slim Thug entitled Check On It, advances to number seven. This too has an awesome dance mix that kicks.

Slipping to number eight is Jamie Foxx and Ludacris, with their hit single Unpredictable, which is all over the radio and nightspots.

At number nine this week is the new one by Dem Franchize Boyz featuring Lil Peanut and Charlay, entitled Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It.

Sorry, the new hit from Pop Queen Madonna, moves up to number 10. Tumbling to number 11 is the latest from Canadian/Guyanian diva Deborah Cox - House is Not a Home. Up to number 12 is Busta Rhymes' new hit - Touch It.

Improving to number 13 is I'll Be Your Light, by Kristine W. Up to number 14 is Rosabel's hot new hit, Rhythm Intoxication, which kicks. House music all night long!

Climbing to number 15 is I'm N Luv (Wit A Stripper) by T-Pain featuring Mike Jones. Improving to number16 is the new one from Keyshia Cole, entitled Love.

Falling to number 17 is Grillz by Nelly featuring Paul Wall, Ali and Gip. Temperature by Yardie Sean Paul holds at number 18.

Now this week's essential new joint. New at number 19 this week is a big tune, Testify by Common. You just have to hear this track, and I must give all of Bermuda's major FM radio stations props for playing it. It features a banging beat, catchy lyrics (especially the "You accuse me" sample) and is rather different from many of the other tracks that have been released this year.

Lastly, rounding things out at number 20, is Rodeo by Juvenile, a new one that is easing up the hip hop and R&B charts and getting increasing air play.

Now back to this week's word - solutions for the sorry state of driving in Bermuda.

Well, I too hate to resort to draconian measures but we are having too many road fatalities and losing too many of our young people, so hear me out.

First, we should raise the age for getting a drivers license for a moped from 16 to 18. OK, I know that many young people, especially those about to turn 16, will not like this idea but it would save many of theit lives in the long-run. Parents seem unwilling to take a stand and discourage their kids from riding bikes at 16, so let's do it for them. The difference between now and 10 years ago is simply that there is more traffic on the roads and the standard of driving is fairly poor.

Since you can't hang out and drink until you are 18, you don't really need a bike until you are 18. But let me go one step further. Read on.

Canada has a drinking age of 19 and America's is 21. Why should ours be any lower? Exactly, there is no reason that we have to have a drinking age of 18. Therefore, I propose that it be raised to 19, like they have in Canada. Therefore, you can get your bike at 18, but you can't start drinking until you're 19. This would give you a year's experience of riding a bike before you could drink legally. That's the second initiative.

Third, we should make it harder to get a license in Bermuda. In Germany, they have a very difficult driving test that many people fail the first time and sometimes on their second and third attempts. We must make the bike licensing test a bit more difficult, with a written test that people will have to study a bit harder to pass and a tough practical exam involving actual driving/operating a vehicle.

The idea is that if you pass this test, you will be a driver of the highest quality. The test in Germany takes several weeks, has different phases and is not easy. We should get the test they have in Germany, have someone translate it for us and adapt it for Bermuda.

The end result will be a higher quality driving test and a better quality driver. Also, people should have to retest and pass the exam every five years or so.

This will force people to pay greater attention to their driving and the end result will be better, safer, more qualified drivers on Bermuda's roads.

This will also take the older drivers (as well as any person of any age) who shouldn't be driving, off the roads until and unless they can pass the driving test.

I know that some people will not agree with these suggestions, but I know that anyone who carefully considers them will agree that the end result of implementing these recommendations would be fewer drivers on the roads, more highly qualified drivers on the roads, fewer bad drivers on the roads, safer roads, less traffic, fewer accidents, fewer road fatalities and less road rage.

Now, isn't this the state of bliss we all want for Bermuda's roads?

So, then, we should implement these suggestions.

Peace be with you ...